Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Scripture states we should all work toward a common goal

I've always loved this passage! It clearly states that we all need each other and we need to work together for the good of the Kingdom of YHWH. We are His conduits.

1 Corinthians 12:12. For as the body is one, and in it are many members; and all those members of the body, though many, are one body; so also is the Mashiyach.[1] 13. For all of us, likewise, by one Spirit, have been immersed into one body, whether Jews or Arameans,[2] whether slaves or free; and all of us have been nourished in one Spirit. 14. For a body also is not one member, but many. 15. For if the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it, on that account, not of the body?

16. Or if the ear should say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it, on that account, not of the body? 17. And if the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? Or if it were all hearing, where would be the smelling? 18. But now has Elohim placed every one of the members in the body, according to His will. 19. And if they were all one member, where would be the body? 20. But now they are many members, yet but one body.

21. The eye cannot say to the hand, You are not needful to me: nor can the head say to the feet, You are not needful to me. 22. But rather, those members which are accounted weak, are indispensable. 23. And those which we think dishonorable in the body, on them we heap more honor; and those that are not beautiful, on them we put the more decoration. 24. For the honorable members in us, have no need of honor: for Elohim has tempered the body, and given more honor to the member which is inferior;

25. That there might be no conflict in the body, but that all the members, equally, might care for one another; 26. So that, when one member is in pain, they will all sympathize; and if one member is exalted, all the members will be exalted. 27. Now you are the body of Mashiyach, and members in your place. 28. For Elohim has placed in his assembly, first, Shlichim; after them, prophets; after them, teachers;[3] after them, workers of miracles;[4] after them, the gifts of healing, and helpers, and leaders, and (various) kinds of tongues.

29. Are they all Shlichim? Are they all prophets? Are they all teachers? Are they all workers of miracles? 30. Have all of them the gifts of healing? Do they all speak with tongues? Or do they all interpret? 31. And if you are searching for superior gifts, on the other hand, I show to you a better way. (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] One the clearest statements about “Godhead” in the entire NT. The relationship between YHWH and Y’shua is like that of the mind/head to a limb of the body. The arm is not a separate entity from the body, nor does it move in any way other than with the full power and intent of the mind. Y’shua is literally the arm of YHWH in this manner (Exodus 6:6, 23:20-22, Isaiah 53:1). This statement by Rav Shaul proves this idea is not some modernized Nazarene doctrine, but the original doctrine of Mashiyach which is founded in the Tanakh; not the expansion of this in verses 14-28.

[2] Again the word is “Armaya”—Arameans. All the tribes of Israel are comprised of Hebrews and Arameans. Others are grafted into the faith, first through Torah observance (before Mashiyach came) and then through Mashiyach according to the Renewed Covenant of Torah being written upon the heart. Rav Shaul is assuming his audience is similarly grafted in.

[3] The word here for “teacher” is malpana, which denotes a person of high intelligence and disciplined study, but who has done so informally, outside of the rabbinical schools. Many people in First Century Israel functioned in this unofficial role, either as village elders or, in Y’shua’s case, as itinerant Torah lecturers. Y’shua was frequently called by this title, as well as the more familiar “rabbi”. In many cases, malpana was meant perjoratively by his critics, as they held his lack of formal training against him. On the other hand, the rich man in Matthew 19 used it as a compliment asking, “Malpana tava (good teacher), what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

[4] Literally, “workers of power.” All miracles come from the power of YHWH; His people are conduits.